digistil:Honest question... Does Clattenburg have any history that might make these allegations believable?

And am I understanding it correctly that the ref is alleged to have racially abused both a black and a white player during the match?

Not that I'm aware to the first question, and sort of on the second. I think I read somewhere (can't find it now) that he called Juan Mata, a Spaniard, a twat. Not sure what he allegedly said to Mikel, but that it was a racial slur.

And if Clattenburg didn't actually say these things, Chelsea needs to be severely punished. Clattenburg's reputation will be forever tarnished, even if he's found innocent. The only way Clattenburg comes out of this clean is if he can somehow prove he never actually said these things, which I doubt he'll be able to do. If he's found innocent because the allegations can't be proven or disproven, questions will still come up any time he cautions / ejects a black player. I don't see how he would be able to referee a professional match ever again, even in that situation. Of course, if he did say those things, Clattenburg's career should be rightly ended. If not, though, my thought is that Chelsea needs to pay a hefty fine and possibly even have points deducted.

FTFA: "Terry did not play here, as he served the second part of his four-match domestic ban from the FA for the racist abuse of Ferdinand, the QPR defender, but Rio Ferdinand did play for United. He was the subject of cat-calls, his every touch booed and, after Hernández's winner, he struck a defiant celebratory pose that appeared to enrage the crowd, leading to missiles being thrown."

pslong009:And if Clattenburg didn't actually say these things, Chelsea needs to be severely punished. Clattenburg's reputation will be forever tarnished, even if he's found innocent. The only way Clattenburg comes out of this clean is if he can somehow prove he never actually said these things, which I doubt he'll be able to do. If he's found innocent because the allegations can't be proven or disproven, questions will still come up any time he cautions / ejects a black player. I don't see how he would be able to referee a professional match ever again, even in that situation. Of course, if he did say those things, Clattenburg's career should be rightly ended. If not, though, my thought is that Chelsea needs to pay a hefty fine and possibly even have points deducted.

The FA are unlikely to want to put themselves in a position where they're seen to be punishing players for making accusations of racial abuse, so the evidence that this is a frivolous/malicious allegation would need to be very strong. The most likely outcome, if Clattenburg is officially cleared, is that it will be assumed to be a case of misapprehension due to Clattenburg's Durham accent.

rugman11:FTFA: "Terry did not play here, as he served the second part of his four-match domestic ban from the FA for the racist abuse of Ferdinand, the QPR defender, but Rio Ferdinand did play for United. He was the subject of cat-calls, his every touch booed and, after Hernández's winner, he struck a defiant celebratory pose that appeared to enrage the crowd, leading to missiles being thrown."

Either way. Yesterday was absolutely abysmal officiating in multiple matches. It's as if they got Pac12 officiating crew to run the matches. They didn't understand the rules and made horrible game changing calls.

dillengest:pslong009: And if Clattenburg didn't actually say these things, Chelsea needs to be severely punished. Clattenburg's reputation will be forever tarnished, even if he's found innocent. The only way Clattenburg comes out of this clean is if he can somehow prove he never actually said these things, which I doubt he'll be able to do. If he's found innocent because the allegations can't be proven or disproven, questions will still come up any time he cautions / ejects a black player. I don't see how he would be able to referee a professional match ever again, even in that situation. Of course, if he did say those things, Clattenburg's career should be rightly ended. If not, though, my thought is that Chelsea needs to pay a hefty fine and possibly even have points deducted.

The FA are unlikely to want to put themselves in a position where they're seen to be punishing players for making accusations of racial abuse, so the evidence that this is a frivolous/malicious allegation would need to be very strong. The most likely outcome, if Clattenburg is officially cleared, is that it will be assumed to be a case of misapprehension due to Clattenburg's Durham accent.

That's true. But considering the stakes, a false accusation can't merely be brushed aside. This isn't like the Suarez or Terry cases, where the punishment is a multi-game suspension and then the player will still get paid millions of dollars for the rest of their career. Clattenburg's career will be over if he's guilty (and again, if he is guilty, he absolutely deserves whatever is coming to him). But if he's not found guilty, the accusation will still loom in people's minds if he punishes (or fails to punish) a black player who commits misconduct in a future game. Unless the FA makes a very strong stand in support of Clattenburg if they find him not guilty, I don't think Clattenburg's career will last very long after this. His integrity has been questioned, and any damage to a referee's integrity is a career-ender. Referees can be shiat at their jobs and still referee. Referees can't continue to referee if there is any doubt as to his impartiality. And if it is indeed a case of mis-understanding what Clattenburg said, then Chelsea officials should have figured that out before filing a formal complaint.

I also can't figure out when this slur was allegedly said. Mikel never really reacted angrily to Clattenburg at any point, and if he managed to keep his composure after hearing a slur because he knew his team would be down to 8 if he reacted, then I've got to say I'm impressed at Mikel's ability to stay calm.

See that little thing in his left ear? He's wired to the other three officials. They would have heard everything he said during the game. So there are witnesses. I don't know if they record it; something they should look into, especially in Europe where dirty offensive words are apparently a criminal matter for the courts.

Gordon Bennett:rugman11: FTFA: "Terry did not play here, as he served the second part of his four-match domestic ban from the FA for the racist abuse of Ferdinand, the QPR defender, but Rio Ferdinand did play for United. He was the subject of cat-calls, his every touch booed and, after Hernández's winner, he struck a defiant celebratory pose that appeared to enrage the crowd, leading to missiles being thrown."

Trocadero:[cdn.bleacherreport.net image 650x440]See that little thing in his left ear? He's wired to the other three officials. They would have heard everything he said during the game. So there are witnesses. I don't know if they record it; something they should look into, especially in Europe where dirty offensive words are apparently a criminal matter for the courts.

That's what I've read. Basically the entire case will come down to the testimony of the ARs.

seumasokelly:Trocadero: [cdn.bleacherreport.net image 650x440]See that little thing in his left ear? He's wired to the other three officials. They would have heard everything he said during the game. So there are witnesses. I don't know if they record it; something they should look into, especially in Europe where dirty offensive words are apparently a criminal matter for the courts.

That's what I've read. Basically the entire case will come down to the testimony of the ARs.

Which raises the obvious question: if Clattenburg is guilty, will the assistants rat him out or cover his ass?

Trocadero:See that little thing in his left ear? He's wired to the other three officials. They would have heard everything he said during the game. So there are witnesses. I don't know if they record it; something they should look into, especially in Europe where dirty offensive words are apparently a criminal matter for the courts.

That reminds me that Farker Koman Coulibaly hasn't been around lately. Surely this thread could use him...

They will green lite anything nowadays, but the funnier, the worst chance of getting posted.The calls were Horrible, but Bear Grylls is a class ref.hopefully this was a mis-undertsanding and this situation fades.the score wont change, but we play again wednesday!anyways:forever!ttp://www.pes-patch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chelsea.jp g " width="320" height="320">forever!